Photo by
Joselyn King
Woodsdale Elementary student Aurora Nelson demonstrates the robot she created and programmed to move via her iPad during last year’s STEAM camp at Bridge Street Middle School.
WHEELING — Legos, robots and the chance to design video games are all part of the opportunities available to Ohio County Schools students seeking productive ways to spend time this summer.
Learning opportunities abound in the school district as it hosts science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) camps later this month, said JoJo Shay, innovation coordinator for Ohio County Schools.
“Especially during the STEAM camps, there is a chance for students to explore what interests them and get into a world of creating,” she added. “Giving kids skills they can use in real life is what we are doing. And hopefully, they will have a little fun too.”
Ohio County Schools will host at least two STEAM camp sessions each for elementary and middle school students. Students are welcome to attend one or both sessions, and the middle school and elementary students will have separate programs.
∫ For elementary school students, the first week of the STEAM camps takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. from June 27 through July 1 at Bridge Street Middle School. Breakfast, lunch and transportation will be provided.
The first week of STEAM camp centers on Legos and creative coding.
During the Lego Robotics Challenge Camp, students will learn to build and control robots using basic visual programming language. And during the Creative Coders Camp, they will get the opportunity to create animated stories with interactive sounds.
The second session for elementary school students is slated for July 11-15, and they will get the opportunity to participate in the Streaming Stars Camp/Art-Tech Camp.
Participants will learn to record videos, edit sound, and create their own personal logo to set them on the path of their dreams.
At Art-Tech Camp, students will use artistic mediums paired with robots, electrical circuits and more to create unique art projects.
∫ The first week of STEAM camp for middle school students, meanwhile, also takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. from June 27 through July 1 at Bridge Street Middle School.
During their first week of STEAM camps, middle school students will focus on robotics. There will be a “Robot Rookies Camp” for students wanting to learn the basics of coding and design of Vex VRC robots needed for the world of competitive robotics.
Students at the next level would want to sign up for the “Robot Masters Camp.” This camp will include design and driving challenges to push their problem-solving skills to new heights.
The week of July 6-8, middle school students are invited to participate in a “Renewable Energy Expose Camp.” After activities and discussion, students will research and pitch specific sustainable energy ideas and explain their impact on the planet.
During the week of July 11-15, there also will be a “Games and Gaming Design Camp” for middle school students, as well as a “Make-Tography Camp.”
Students will use problem-solving and strategy skills to create their own video game using basic design elements such as character development, environment creation, and imaginative gameplay.
Meanwhile, in the Make-Tography Camp, students will use multiple forms of media and artwork to make personalized projects such as puzzles, stickers, decals, and more using maker tools such as Cricuts, Glowforge laser engravers and 3D printers.
– There will also be regular summer school sessions happening in the school district beginning next week.
In-person summer school opportunities for Wheeling Park High School students begin Tuesday and continue through June 24. Classes will take place daily from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. each day. Summer sessions for elementary and middle school students start June 21 and end on July 15. Daily hours of instruction are from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Breakfast and lunch will be served at all summer school sessions, and transportation will be provided.
Summer classes in the morning will focus on math and reading curriculum, while there will be student enrichment and mindfulness activities in the afternoon, according to Shay. There continues to be interest among students in participating in the summer activities, she said.
“Particularly our elementary numbers are still high,” she said. “We are still seeing good numbers. We encourage anyone who wants to participate to reach out.”
Those wanting to apply for any of the summer programs in Ohio County Schools should go to https://sites.google.com/wphs.ohio.k12.wv.us/2022-ocs-summer-sessions/home to fill out application forms.
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